Crazylady
I read your post and found it very interesting! Please do repost. I am hopeful but skeptical.
Tamara- Maybe tooooo much coffee already?
It can make you jjjiiitttttteeerrryyy!!! LOL
No offense meant.

there is a reason international seed trading is not allow in in relation to sending seeds to the usa about 2-3 years ago a law went into force that made it illigal to import seeds into the usa with out a photo sanitary certicate. This is require for each type seed in package not matter the quantity.
If this site allowed international seed trade it might open op gardenweb to libility for these action because of if no photo sanitary certicate is present in package the seeds are destroyed and the receiver may be held liable for smuggling of contraband. This is why this site does not have international seed trading and under the former owner made it hard for such trading to accure on this site.

Bite your tongue, dirt_dew! No such thing as TOO much coffee. LOL

The link to the NEW legislation is on the Gardenweb UK forum, sorry don't know how to include it. The URL is http://www.uk.gardenweb.com/forums/load/ukgard/msg.050753242095.html?3 OK it means paperwork but it also allows for the import of small quantities of seed without a phytosanitary certificate, legally. As I said in a reply to Crazylady (which has also been wiped!) I second the idea of a legal international seed swap forum.

Wow - I started to report about an hour ago, when there were no replies. Then we had a power cut and I've only just got back.

Here's the link to my post on the UK Forum: http://www.uk.gardenweb.com/forums/load/ukgard/msg050753242095.html?3, which explains that you don't need the Phytosanitary Certificate now for small lots of seeds such as you would be exchanging between gardeners. The link to the APHIS site is at the end of this post so you can check the new rules yourself.

As I also said in my original post, I joined GW in the first place to swap seeds with people in other countries, so I could try new plants I couldn't get locally. Exchanging seeds with people in your own area isn't so much fun, as they only have the same seeds as you do.

I know when I used to trade via GW, I swapped seeds with people in over 25 different countries, but I haven't found anywhere else where I can meet so many people as I used to on GW.

GW couldn't be held responsible for what individual members did, provided it was made clear at the top of the Forum that members were expected to obey the laws which applied to them - which it already does, at least on the European Exchange.

I do know that some people in the US don't want to exchange seeds with people in other countries, so if we had a separate International Seed Exchange Forum, it would be a place for members, inside the US and elsewhere, who were looking for seeds from around the world.

Here is a link that might be useful: US Seed Import Rules for Small Lots of Seed

Hi, like you know I exganged seeds a couple of years ago in GW when it was alowed.
It was just great fun to get in contact with all different people.
It would be a good idea if it could be done again.

I hope it will work out,

Saludos Herman from the Canary Islands, Spain.

This may be a little late but the original posts may be cached at the link below. I don't know how long these cached things hange around.

Here is a link that might be useful: chached discussion on seed exchange

I would like an international exchange also. I am constantly chasing obscure seeds that I end up paying a small fortune to get.

I 2nd minibim in liking international exchange
Thank You

Most definately would love to see small amounts of international trading.

I think it's a great idea, roll on the International Seed Exchange Forum.

I used to exchange with the US before their paranoia set in, and made some good friends with whom I still correspond-but don't send seeds. I'd love to be able to trade with them again, so thanks for the information-and let's have an international exchange forum, PLEASE!

jemlincs not parnoia just simple fact that no one wants to pay a $1000 fine which has happened before they added the small quantity exception. As for importing seed it is the senders duty to get the permit and most sendered are not interested in spending the time getting the permit.

The major change now is that there is no need to get a Phytosanitary Certificate to send seeds to the US. It was the sender's duty to get this, but it was not just a matter of time. These things are designed for the export of commercial quantities of plant parts, including crops, so the bureacracy and cost reflected that. It cost the equivalent of hundreds of dollars to get a Phytosanitary Certificate, as well as being time-consuming and having to deal with government officials to arrange for the seeds to be inspected, so it is no wonder that ordinary gardeners wanting to exchange just a few seeds with people in the US didn't want to get involved in it.

Now that the Import Permit is available to US importers just by appyling to APHIS, I am sure people outside the US wanting to exchange seeds with US gardeners will be only too happy to comply with your regulations about packing and sending them.

I would also be in favor of an international seed exchange.

I am a member of Seed Savers Exchange, which has international members, but nowhere near the number accessible through GW forums. As Crazylady mentioned, paranoia over exchanges of small seed quantities is unjustified. Of 5 requests I mailed to countries outside the U.S. this year, all 5 were sent to me successfully. While most companies outside the U.S. have chosen to no longer ship here, individuals mailing small quantities have few problems. There are many seed saving organizations outside the U.S. with members that would likely participate.

Since the formation of the E.U., there have been new European restrictions on which vegetable varieties are legal for commercial purposes. Many families have vegetables that have been grown & marketed by them for generations, and can no longer be sold. These irreplaceable varieties are at great risk of being lost forever.

Let's give them a chance to send their seed to those of us who wish to preserve & enjoy them, before they become extinct, or regulations tighten.

I too would like to trade love to garden peppers is my thing! email me wll trade!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You've got my vote.
I dearly miss trading with my overseas buddies.

I am pro international seed exchange. Would love to trade. Please email jen@gulfcoastrentals.com